Retaining wall post and retaining wall using the same

ABSTRACT

A pre-cast post with a widened spade foot which resists lateral forces transferred from the upper segment loaded by the retaining panel. The angle of the foot transfers the load by driving the foot more firmly into the ground for more stability. The taper of the footing section causes the adjacent soil to be further compacted for more stability. The thickening of the taper at the junction of the upper and lower section provide perfect size to facilitate perfect ratio of concrete for compressive strength and embedment space for steel which provides tensile strength. The upper section tapers down as the lateral forces decrease. Panels are affixed to the pre-cast posts for the soil retention and can be stacked for higher soil retention applications. The panels also decrease in thickness as the lateral forces diminish.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

The presently claimed invention relates to soil retention and moreparticularly to a retaining wall post and a retaining wall using the newretaining wall post and methods for constructing the same.

2. Background Art

Differing systems and methods have been used for soil retention,including concrete masonry units (CMU), more commonly known as cinderblock retaining walls, poured concrete walls, and stackable tie backwall units. Each of these types of systems has shortcomings that areovercome by the presently claimed invention.

Typical concrete or CMU's or cinder block retaining walls utilizeinefficient concrete footings for anchoring the wall to the ground.Further, this system is labor intensive, requiring laborers to stack andapply masonry to each CMU in place and fill in the apertures in thestacked CMU's with rebar and concrete. The addition of stackable tieback units is also labor intensive, inefficient and is not asstructurally sound as walls composed on larger solid members. Anothersystem used includes stacking precast concrete (PCC) unit walls. Thesedesigns are complicated to cast, do not provide for reinforcement, andinterrupt backfill and compacting efforts. Poured in place concrete(PIPC) walls also utilize an inefficient footing method.

Some of the prior art systems include U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,097 whichdescribes a poured in place and injection (pump) process with a facethat inclines from a top of a wall into the slope. This is not a modularprecast concrete product. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,050,254, 5,697,736,4,668,129, 4,572,711 and 7,044,687B1 all rely on an “L” shaped tie-backdesign. This is a poor choice for a steel reinforced concrete fixture.In addition, these systems are overdesigned, offer weak reinforcement,and are inefficient because they are stacked or terraced. One allowsadjustability for bad planning, but is labor intensive. The other wastesroom at every terrace and both methods necessitate interruptions duringthe back-fill and compaction phase.

The presently claimed invention simplifies the process and provides formaximum soil retention. The holes are dug or drilled, retaining wallposts are installed, and panels are put in place. Back-fill andcompaction may begin and continue uninterrupted to the top of the wall.The angled design of the posts takes full advantage of the compressivestrength of the concrete and the tensile strength of the steel with along embedment distance and extra concrete thickness in the areas of thegreatest load.

The invention has an advanced anchoring method; it saves time by beingprecast, is more versatile and adjustable, uses less space and time toinstall, and may be back filled and compacted immediately withoutinterruption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Disclosure of the Invention

The presently claimed invention solves the problems discussed above andovercomes the shortcomings of the prior art with the unique featuresprovided in the appended claims.

In a first embodiment, a retaining wall post is introduced. Theretaining wall post is preferably a casted one piece unit. The posts canbe pre-casted or casted in situ. Each post is configured with an angleso the posts are “L” shaped. This shape along with a buried widenedspade foot enhances the stability of the retaining wall post and alsotransfers the horizontal load to a semi horizontal and vertical loadwhile compressing the soil beneath the widened spade foot. The preferredretaining wall post is tapered with the top portion narrower than thebottom portion which corresponds to the amount of horizontal forcesapplied by the soil to be retained. Additionally, rebar can be added tothe post for added strength.

The second embodiment is for a retaining wall system using the retainingwall posts of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, panels areconstructed by casting. The panels are preferably rectangular in shapeand have one or more raised ridges disposed vertically for addedstrength. Rebar can be added to the raised ridge and to the body of thepanels. Included is a mating system for mating the panels to the posts.These include mounting the posts at a slight angle towards the front sothe panels lay on the posts and are held in place by the weight of thepanels or by methods well known in the art for affixing panels to theposts. The ends of the panels where they intersect with the posts can beoverlapped for added strength or butted together for a more aestheticappearance.

The third embodiment is a method of constructing a retaining wall usingthe retaining wall posts of the first embodiment and the system of thesecond embodiment. In this embodiment, the retaining wall posts areburied in the ground by digging a hole and placing the bottom end of thepost in the hole. Alternatively the post can be driven further into theground by driving it into the ground. This is enhanced by the knife endconfiguration of the widened spade foot. The hole is filled and the soilis compressed to firmly plant the retaining wall posts in the ground.When the retaining wall posts are inserted into the ground, they can bepositioned with a slight angle towards the front to hold the panels inplace until the soil comprising the backfill is dumped or pushed againstthe back sides of the panels. Alternatively, the panels can be affixedto the posts using methods well known in the art. When the panels arebeing mated to the posts, the side ends of the panels can be overlappedfor added strength or butted together. For added height, panels can bestacked.

In any of the embodiments, the retaining wall posts and panels can bepre-casted or casted in situ. Further, the retaining wall posts can beconfigured in height and widths for differing heights, types of soil tobe retained and varying moisture conditions of the soil.

An object of the presently claimed invention is to provide a retainingwall post and system that provides for additional strength due to the“L” shape to withstand the horizontal forces placed on retaining wallsinstead of the prior art systems that merely transfer the horizontalforces to pure vertical forces by merely driving or burying a straightpost into the ground.

The advantages of the presently claimed invention are that the post,system, and method are versatile, efficient, and cost effective.Further, the system and method do not require special tool or directionsand can easily be installed.

Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope ofapplicability of the presently claimed invention will be set forth inpart in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learnedby practice of the claimed invention. The objects and advantages of theclaimed invention may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a partof the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the presentlyclaimed invention and, together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the claimed invention. The drawings are only for thepurpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the claimed inventionand are not to be construed as limiting the claimed invention. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred retaining wall post.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the retaining wall post of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the retaining wall post of FIGS. 1 and2.

FIG. 3B is a cutout view along A-A of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a front view of one embodiment of the preferred panel.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the panel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a cutout view along B-B of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of the preferred panel.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the panel of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B is a cutout view along C-C of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the retaining wallsystem.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the retainingwall system.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the installed retaining wall system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Best Modes for Carrying Out theInvention

This presently claimed invention is a retaining wall post, a system forproviding a retaining wall, and a method for retaining soil using thesystem.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred retaining wall post, FIG. 2 is aside view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3A is a perspective view and 3B is a cutoutview of 3A of the same. As shown in the figures, retaining wall post 10is preferably a precast, one piece unit. Retaining wall post ispreferably constructed from concrete or the like and poured into a mold.Retaining wall post 10 can also be cast on-site. Rebar 12 is preferablyinserted as shown. The size of rebar 12 to be used is dependent on theamount of soil to be retained and the size of the retaining wall post10. Although only one rebar piece is shown, the number of rebar piecescan be increased depending on the soil conditions, such as the amount ofsoil to be retained and the height of the retained soil. Rebar 12 ispreferably centered in the front dimension 14 and offset to the rear orback portion 16 of retaining wall post 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B,for increased stability. FIG. 3B shows a cutout view along A-A, showingthe placement of rebar 12 within concrete 28. Retaining wall post 10 isconfigured as an “L” shaped member with a top portion 18 and a widenedspade foot portion 20, with a predetermined angle 22 between the two.Top portion 18 is longer in height than bottom 20; however bottom 20 isdependent on the soil conditions, such as the height of the soil to beretained. Angle 22 in conjunction with of widened spade foot 24 onbottom portion 20, resists lateral forces transferred from upper portion18 loaded by retaining panel 30. Angle 22 is preferably around onehundred and forty degrees (140°); however, it can be optimized forindividual use. A range between ninety degrees (90°) to one hundred andeighty degrees (180°) can be implemented. Widened spade foot 24 isconfigured with a taper at tip 32 for driving retaining wall post 10into the ground. The taper is preferably angled and oriented toencourage retaining wall post 10 to maintain the proper embedment. Asmore clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, retaining wall post 10 is tapered,with the widest dimension at widened spade foot 24. This increases thesurface area for maintaining the stability of retaining wall post 10when buried in the ground and provides for increased horizontal forceretention where the loads are greatest. Angle 22 in conjunction withwidened spade foot 24 effectively transfers the horizontal load of thesoil being retained to compress the soil beneath widened spade foot,thus increasing the stability of the retaining wall. This system is moreefficient and effective than a retaining wall post that is placedperpendicular to the ground. Angle 22 of retaining wall post 10 is thetransfer point for the aforementioned forces, so the tensile strength atthis area is enhanced by rebar 12, the size and placement of rebar 12,and the compression strength of the concrete. Again, these componentscan be optimized for the amount, size and type of soil to be retained.

FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B show one embodiment of a retaining wall panel 30.Retaining wall panel 30 is also preferably a one-piece unit that can beprecast for delivery and installation on site. Alternatively, it canalso be casted on-site. Retaining wall panel 30 can be constructed byusing a mold and can be made from a variety of materials, including butnot limited to, concrete, fiberglass, plastic, metal, or the like. Forthis discussion, a concrete unit is described. Retaining wall panel 30is preferably a rectangle, elongated in width 32 and shorter in length34, as shown in FIG. 4. The dimensions can be tailored for the specificuse. To enhance the strength of retaining wall panel 30 a raised ridge54 can be included on a back side 50. Raised ridge 54 is indented oneach end 56 of panel 30 to allow for attachment or mating to retainingwall post as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Mating to retaining wall posts caninclude buffers, adhesives, clamps, pins, interlocking ridges or matingteeth or any other well known method can be used. This will counterhorizontal force 36 of the soil to be retained. Raised ridge 54preferably includes ridge rebar 38 encased in concrete 58 as shown inFIG. 5B, which is cutout along B-B of FIG. 5A. Again, depending on thesoil conditions additional pieces of rebar can be used in both ahorizontal and vertical orientations at spaced intervals to provideadditional strength. Since horizontal forces 36 are more pronouncedtowards bottom 40 of raised ridge 54, it is preferably offset andlocated near bottom 40.

For increased strength, two or more raised ridges 54′ can be disposed onretaining wall panel 30′ as shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B. These panelscan be similarly constructed using ridge rebar 38′ is each raised ridge54′. Again, for stability raised ridges 54′ can be offset towards bottom40′ of retaining wall panel 30′. Additional rebar can be added to raisedridge 54′ in both the horizontal and vertical direction to enhance oraugment the holding strength, as needed. In either of the embodiments,front side 52 can be colored or contain ornamentation for aestheticpurposes.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 show the preferred retaining wall installations. FIG.8 shows an overlapping embodiment whereby a first panel 40 is attachedto retaining wall post 10 and a second panel 42 overlaps 44 a firstpanel end 46 of over a second panel end 48, as shown. Overlap 44 shouldpreferably be at least the width of top portion 18. This system shouldbe used for maximum retention, for example for systems with more thantwo stacked panels. For installations that do not require as muchhorizontal force retention or for aesthetic purposes, the system of FIG.9 can be used. In this system, first panel end 46 abuts 50 second panelend 48, with each end evenly contacting top portion 18.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the preferred installation. First, a hole60 is dug to a predetermined depth. Retaining wall post 10 is theninserted into hole 60, burying widened spade foot 20, as shown.Alternatively, retaining wall post can be driven into ground 62, orinserted into hole 60 and driven the rest of the way into ground 62 tothe desired depth. This is accomplished due to knife end 64 of widenedspade foot 20. Preferably, widened spade foot 20 is totally below theground surface or up to crease 66. For best results and easyinstallation of panels, a slight tilt of two to three degrees (2-3°) 68towards a front can be implemented. Retaining wall post 10 is then heldin place and hole 60 is filled and compacted. A measurement is made toset the next retaining wall post 10 and this same procedure is repeatedfor the remaining posts. Once all the retaining wall posts are placed,panels 40 are then mated to them, either as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9.Panels 40 are secured using methods well known in the art or due to theslight tilt of two to three degrees (2-3°) 68, panels 40 rest againstretaining wall posts. Once all of the panels are in place, soil 72 canbe packed on back face of panels 74 to the desired height. As shown,horizontal force 70 by retained soil is transferred to an angle ofpartial horizontal and vertical forces, causing compaction of the soil76 below widened spade foot 24, thereby increasing the stability of theretaining wall system. This significantly increases the amount of forcethat can be retained by the claimed system.

Although the claimed invention has been described in detail withparticular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodimentscan achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of thepresently claimed invention will be obvious to those skilled in the artand it is intended to cover in all such modifications and equivalents.The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, andpublications cited above, are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A retaining wall post comprising: a top portion for receiving panels;a bottom portion comprising a widened spade foot for insertion into theground, wherein the top portion and bottom portion are “L” shapedcomprising a predetermined angle and wherein the retaining wall post istapered towards the widened spade foot.
 2. The retaining wall post ofclaim 1 wherein the retaining wall post is a casted one piece unit. 3.The retaining wall post of claim 1 further comprising reinforcing rebar.4. The retaining wall post of claim 1 wherein the widened spade footcomprises a tapered tip.
 5. The retaining wall post of claim 1 whereinthe bottom portion is configured to have a width that resists lateralforces transferred from the upper portion and the receiving panels. 6.The retaining wall post of claim 1 wherein the upper portion isconfigured to have a predetermined height comprising a height of atleast a soil to be retained height.
 7. The retaining wall post of claim1 wherein the predetermined angle comprises an angle configured totransfer a horizontal force to an angled vertical and horizontal forceand compress soil beneath the widened spade foot.
 8. The retaining wallpost of claim 1 wherein the predetermined angle comprises a rangebetween ninety degrees (90°) and one hundred and eighty degrees)(180°).9. A retaining wall system comprising: at least two retaining wallposts, each retaining wall post comprising a top portion for receivingpanels, a bottom portion comprising a widened spade foot for insertioninto the ground, wherein the top portion and bottom portion are “L”shaped comprising a predetermined angle and wherein the retaining wallpost is tapered towards the widened spade foot; at least one panel, eachpanel comprising at least one raised ridge and each panel configured toretain soil; and a mating structure to mate a first end of each panel toa first retaining wall post and to mate a second end of each panel to asecond retaining wall post.
 10. The retaining wall system of claim 9wherein the mating structure comprises a predetermined tilt towards afront of the at least two retaining wall posts.
 11. The retaining wallsystem of claim 9 wherein the first end of a first panel overlaps afirst end of a second panel at each retaining wall post.
 12. Theretaining wall system of claim 9 wherein the first end of a first panelabuts a first end of a second panel at each retaining wall post.
 13. Theretaining wall system of claim 9 further comprising a first panel withat least one stacked second panel.
 14. A method of installing aretaining wall, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting atleast two retaining wall posts into the ground, each retaining wall postcomprising a top portion for receiving panels, a bottom portioncomprising a widened spade foot for insertion into the ground, whereinthe top portion and bottom portion are “L” shaped comprising apredetermined angle and wherein the retaining wall post is taperedtowards the widened spade foot; (b) filling and compacting the soilaround each retaining wall post; (c) mating at least one panel to the atleast two retaining wall posts; (d) packing the soil to be retained on aback face of the at least one panel to a desired height.
 15. The methodof claim 14 wherein the step of inserting comprises burying the bottomportion by digging a hole or by driving the spade foot into the ground.16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of mating comprisesinserting the at least two retaining wall posts into the ground wherebythe top portion of each post is tilted towards a front.
 17. The methodof claim 14 further comprising the step of reinforcing the at least onepanel with at least one raised ridge.
 18. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising the step of overlapping a first end of a first panel with afirst end of a second panel at each retaining wall post.
 19. The methodof claim 14 further comprising abutting a first end of a first panelwith a first end of a second panel at each retaining wall post.
 20. Themethod of claim 14 stacking at least one panel on a first installedpanel.